Celebrate the Holidays with American Cruise Lines
Now is the time to start planning your holiday getaway with American Cruise Lines.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of travel. Celebrate the holidays aboard our modern ships, decked out in festive décor. Whether you are yearning for a Colonial Christmas, a historic river journey, or a Southern sun-kissed coastal retreat, our cruise options offer enchanting experiences that ensure your holiday season is stress-free, lively, and unforgettable.
Let our all-American crew pamper you as you indulge in delectable holiday cuisine created by our culinary team. Delight in Yuletide, learn about fascinating regional holiday traditions and enjoy special holiday musical shows, caroling sessions, and a festive gift exchange party with your fellow travelers.
Our 9-day Southeast Sea Islands cruise brings you to Charleston, lined with historic cobblestone streets, where you can enjoy the annual Festival of Lights. Take an enchanting horse-drawn carriage ride through the charming town of Beaufort and a Dolphin Discovery cruise in Hilton Head.
Travel through the squares of Savannah and witness the preservation of its 19th-century opulence, before visiting Jekyll Island’s “Millionaire’s Village,” once a winter retreat for the wealthiest families in America. On Christmas Eve, our complimentary cocktail hour will feature the beautiful singing of professional carolers. Guests can also ring in the New Year, in Southern fashion.
Charleston Festival of Lights
Featuring over 700 displays and two million lights, the Holiday Festival of Lights located on James Island is a cherished tradition in Charleston that has been ranked on the AmericasBest.com Top 10 list. Enjoy a three-mile ride, where you can admire a wide array of dazzling designs for the holidays.
Gingerbread Making
The Christmas tradition of gingerbread houses originated in Germany during the 16th century. These cookie-walled houses were originally decorated with foil and gold leaf. Eventually, the tradition made its way to the U.S. Enjoy a gingerbread-making demonstration by a master chef and try your hand at making one of your own creations.
Celebrate the season on a unique 7 or 8-day riverboat adventure along the Lower Mississippi River. Be welcomed by charming towns and cities, ornamented for the season. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, antiques, and gardens of grand estates alongside the river, including Houmas House and Rosedown. Sip a tasty mint julep while strolling under the canopy of 300-year-old trees at Oak Alley or peruse the local shops and museums of quaint and cozy towns like St. Francisville and Natchez.
JoAnn Funk - Onboard Expert and Entertainer
JoAnn has been a Guest Speaker and onboard Performer with American Cruise Lines since 2014, traveling the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. Born on and in the Mississippi, near La Crosse Wisconsin, she combines decades of river experience with her natural curiosity as she tells the stories of our great American rivers. During the holiday season, she also shares Christmas stories, traditions, and music with our guests.
The Jeweled Christmas at the Towers
Visit The Towers, among the most elegant and grand antebellum homes in Mississippi. Surrounded by huge oak trees that were planted before the Civil War, this wonderful Italianate mansion will be embellished with both Christmas décor and magnificent jewelry displays, featuring thousands of sparkling stones, many of famous origin.
Holiday Shop, Sip, and Sing
Board the cruise coach for a joyous celebration of the season. Listen to holiday favorites and sing Christmas carols on your way to Old South Trading Post, where we will stop for shopping and refreshments. Explore this one-of-a-kind shop which offers everything from cookbooks to Christmas tree ornaments. Next, board the coach for a city exploration, during which there will be time for more merriment and caroling.
Celebrate Christmas and the New Year on our enchanting Colonial Christmas cruise scheduled for December 23, 2023. Experience the popular 11-day American Revolution itinerary along the Chesapeake Bay aboard the well-appointed American Constitution. Along the way, enjoy premium comfort, spacious staterooms with private balconies, and the latest amenities as you visit historic cities and quaint towns that have shaped America. Spend your holiday in the best Christmas town in America, Colonial Williamsburg, and celebrate the traditions and customs of Christmas in the 18th century.
Robert and Stephanie Yonskie - Onboard Experts and Entertainers
Robert Yonskie is an onboard speaker and performer for American Cruise Lines, along with his wife, Stephanie Yonskie, entertaining our guests on a variety of American Cruise Lines itineraries around the country. During the holiday season, they host a variety of activities, including a door decorating contest, a holiday scavenger hunt, and carol sing-alongs. As guest speaker, Robert presents a show all about Christmas songs, traditions, and phrases from the U.S. and around the world. Stephanie teaches painting and ornament making, and both appear as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Winterfest on the USS Wisconsin
Celebrate the holiday season at Nauticus and enjoy exploring the Battleship Wisconsin adorned with over 650,000 holiday lights in uniquely themed zones. Below, join a deck tour, listen to live entertainment, and enjoy a never-before-seen Santa Experience. Treat yourself at a restaurant inside the Battleship Wisconsin’s historic wardroom.
Holiday Lights of the Capital
With its many dazzling light displays, Washington, D.C., feels more like than the North Pole than part of the Mid-Atlantic region. As you drive through our nation’s capital, enjoy the beautiful decorations that adorn the city. Take advantage of the many excellent photo opportunities along the way.
